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Deep-sea sewage sludge disposal
Marie PollutmnBulletm The booklet descnbes how, using contracted scientific experts, SOTEAG cames out extensive momtormg programmes on the impact of the terminal on the natural enwronment Samphng in the area is undertaken, for example, on seabed sediments, plants and ammals on rocky shores, beaches, and salt marshes, sea b,rd populations and on the chemical composmon of the atmosphere, water and seabed After analysing the results from flus regular momtonng programme, SOTEAG makes recommendations to both the Shetland Islands Council and the oil industry through SVA Limited The booklet concludes that the results of the past 10 years of work have shown no unacceptable or slgruficant changes in the environment of Sullom Voe Further mtormanon about the work of SOTEAG can be obtained from Mrs Lyna Kmgham, Secretary SOTEAG, Umversity of Aberdeen, Department of Zoology, Tillydrove Avenue, Aberdeen AB9 2TN
North Sea Forum Report Another report on the North Sea environment has just been published in the run-up to the London North Sea Conference to be held in November 1987 (see Mar Pollut Bull 18, 257). The report is pubhshed by the North Sea Forum whxch is comprised of voluntary and statutory orgamzatlons established in preparation for the London Conference The aim of the Forum which was co-ordinated by the Council for Environmental Conservation (CoEnCo), is to provide a single nongovernment orgamzatlon (NGO) voice to mimsters A whole range of Issues of concern to UK NGOs are contained in the Report There is particular worry about the inadequacy of information available on the resources of the North Sea required for sensible management decisions and the limited knowledge of the impacts of existing human activities on these resources The Report also emphasizes the lack of any overall management plans for the sea which could take account of environmental needs at all management levels The Earl of Cranbrook, Chairman of the North Sea Forum, speaking at the press launch of the Report said, "Many aspects of legislation, management and research in the manne environment have come about by piecemeal or ad hoc responses to perceived short term threats The North Sea conference gives ministers an opportumty to harmomze legislative, management, and research actlwtms of this marine environment If the mtergovernmental conference fails to respond with posmve action, little of value will result from the investment of t~me and effort m the conference and ~ts antecedents The North Sea Forum Report provides much useful information for the UK Minister to take a lead in ensunng that the long term conservation of the North Sea is embodied in a proper management plan whach wall benefit the ecosystem for present and future generations" 424
Deep-Sea Sewage Sludge Disposal British central government and water authorities are criticized in a report on river and estuanne pollution issued in May by the House of Commons Environment Comrmttee Amongst the major issues covered by the report is the shallow sea disposal of sewage sludge Although many would defend the practice as being environmentally acceptable, the report points out that the UK policy of dumping sewage sludge m coastal waters is regarded as unacceptable by other nations and the UK is becormng ever more isolated Around 9 million tonnes of sludge is currently dumped in Britain by ships authorized by the Mlmstry of Agriculture and Fisheries It is recommended that the government should commission an Independent report on the relationship between sludge dumping and fish disease and to assess other environmental opnons for sewage sludge disposal Meanwhile, the Maersk Co Limited in London is promoting a new scheme for dumping sewage sludge 4000 m deep in the Atlantic Ocean The plan would involve a fleet of feeder barges transporting sludge from sewage terminals to three tankers of 100 000 tonnes deadweight which would then dispose ot the sludge through a pipe dropped from a moonpool in the hull
Britain Extends Territorial Limits The Territorial Sea Act was one of several bills rushed through Parliament in time to receive Royal Assent prior to the General Election The Act extends the limit of Great Bntam's territorial waters from three to twelve imles, bnngmg the UK into line with more than 100 countries which already claim territorial limits of 12 miles It was m 1981 that the Government first announced preparation of legislation to introduce a new 12 mile hmit However, tills &d not materialize and the issue was only recently forced by the need to clarify the legal status of the Channel Tunnel Implementation of the Act effectively enlarges the area within wtuch existing pollution controls operate These include the power to prosecute the owners or masters of foreign vessels found illegally discharging oil, to seek compensation for oll pollution damage and to allow direct Government mterventlon where a shipping incident threatens serious pollution The decision to defer extension of the Nature Conservancy Council's powers to designate marine nature reserves from 3 to 12 miles m hne with the new Act has been subject to some criticism According to the Government there is insufficient scientific data at present available to determine whether reserves will be needed beyond the old three mile limit
North Sea Forum Report Another report on the North Sea environment has just been published in the run-up to the London North Sea Conference to be held in November 1987 (see Mar Pollut Bull 18, 257). The report is pubhshed by the North Sea Forum whxch is comprised of voluntary and statutory orgamzatlons established in preparation for the London Conference The aim of the Forum which was co-ordinated by the Council for Environmental Conservation (CoEnCo), is to provide a single nongovernment orgamzatlon (NGO) voice to mimsters A whole range of Issues of concern to UK NGOs are contained in the Report There is particular worry about the inadequacy of information available on the resources of the North Sea required for sensible management decisions and the limited knowledge of the impacts of existing human activities on these resources The Report also emphasizes the lack of any overall management plans for the sea which could take account of environmental needs at all management levels The Earl of Cranbrook, Chairman of the North Sea Forum, speaking at the press launch of the Report said, "Many aspects of legislation, management and research in the manne environment have come about by piecemeal or ad hoc responses to perceived short term threats The North Sea conference gives ministers an opportumty to harmomze legislative, management, and research actlwtms of this marine environment If the mtergovernmental conference fails to respond with posmve action, little of value will result from the investment of t~me and effort m the conference and ~ts antecedents The North Sea Forum Report provides much useful information for the UK Minister to take a lead in ensunng that the long term conservation of the North Sea is embodied in a proper management plan whach wall benefit the ecosystem for present and future generations" 424
Deep-Sea Sewage Sludge Disposal British central government and water authorities are criticized in a report on river and estuanne pollution issued in May by the House of Commons Environment Comrmttee Amongst the major issues covered by the report is the shallow sea disposal of sewage sludge Although many would defend the practice as being environmentally acceptable, the report points out that the UK policy of dumping sewage sludge m coastal waters is regarded as unacceptable by other nations and the UK is becormng ever more isolated Around 9 million tonnes of sludge is currently dumped in Britain by ships authorized by the Mlmstry of Agriculture and Fisheries It is recommended that the government should commission an Independent report on the relationship between sludge dumping and fish disease and to assess other environmental opnons for sewage sludge disposal Meanwhile, the Maersk Co Limited in London is promoting a new scheme for dumping sewage sludge 4000 m deep in the Atlantic Ocean The plan would involve a fleet of feeder barges transporting sludge from sewage terminals to three tankers of 100 000 tonnes deadweight which would then dispose ot the sludge through a pipe dropped from a moonpool in the hull
Britain Extends Territorial Limits The Territorial Sea Act was one of several bills rushed through Parliament in time to receive Royal Assent prior to the General Election The Act extends the limit of Great Bntam's territorial waters from three to twelve imles, bnngmg the UK into line with more than 100 countries which already claim territorial limits of 12 miles It was m 1981 that the Government first announced preparation of legislation to introduce a new 12 mile hmit However, tills &d not materialize and the issue was only recently forced by the need to clarify the legal status of the Channel Tunnel Implementation of the Act effectively enlarges the area within wtuch existing pollution controls operate These include the power to prosecute the owners or masters of foreign vessels found illegally discharging oil, to seek compensation for oll pollution damage and to allow direct Government mterventlon where a shipping incident threatens serious pollution The decision to defer extension of the Nature Conservancy Council's powers to designate marine nature reserves from 3 to 12 miles m hne with the new Act has been subject to some criticism According to the Government there is insufficient scientific data at present available to determine whether reserves will be needed beyond the old three mile limit